Monday, September 17, 2012

End Times Literature

The prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation have suffered everything between misinterpretation and absolute derision. Many Christian denominations entirely neglect these sections of scripture. Certain misguided souls like to impute folly upon the words of GOD because their own ignorance limits them; they “find” in these apocalyptic books cause to dismiss the entire Bible as the writings of unreasonable men with overactive imaginations. (I have already heard more than enough atheist arguments in my life so far.)

The good news is, this incomprehension was factored into prophecy’s design as an intended outcome. The prophecies were sealed, not physically, but through coded language.

DANIEL 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

The verse above indicates that the meanings of the prophecies contained in the latter books of Daniel were kept hidden (“sealed”) until the time of the end. Then, knowledge will be increased at the appointed time so that the prophecies will be understood. Later in the same chapter we read:

12:9 And he [the angelic messenger] said, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

Now we catch insight into the complexity of ingenuity involved in the sealing of the prophecies. Not only are they to impact the end-time generation only, they are further to be exclusively understood by “the wise” among that generation – rather than being ignored and dismissed as merely profound parables. Verse 10 (above) presents is an ironical situation: all have equal access to the same prophetic text, but only some through understanding can apply its provisions to their lives. This distinction, by itself, marks the “wise” apart from the “wicked.” Let that speak to you.

I put it to you, dear reader, that we are entering the last days. Very soon, the real time fulfillment of Daniel chapters 7 to 12 (some of which has come to pass) will become of vital importance to those who watch and pray.

John the Revelator also received instructions from the angel who talked to him:

REVELATION 22:10 And [the angelic messenger] said to me, “SEAL NOT the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

To paraphrase: the prophecies in Revelation were “not sealed,” because “the time (of their fulfillment) is at hand”. Note the similarity with Daniel in what the distinction is between one’s capacity to understand or misunderstand the prophecy’s meaning, and the implication thereof. This “time” which is “at hand” refers most obviously to the end times, the era we are entering, if we are not manifestly in it already.

With this declaration, the entire book of Revelation, with all its symbolism, is spotlighted as vital life-and-death literature for the end-time church of Christ. Read it, friends, in and out, and Daniel also. Prophecies are to be fulfilled at the appointed time. To understand them, just do this one thing: DON’T be wicked :)

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The time is at hand! Truth from the heart. Partly online journal, partly social commentary, occasionally going off on political tangents, with a smattering of economic terms. Learning at the Lord's feet, closely watching the final chapters of the Great Controversy.